Staatse vloot voor Philippine, 1600 1600

Here we see an engraving from 1600, showing the Staatse fleet before Philippine. The anonymous printmaker used a technique that was already well-established at this time: etching lines into a metal plate, inking it, and transferring that ink to paper. The material itself, paper, can be easily reproduced using a printing press, and that makes it an ideal medium for political messaging. In this case, the print celebrates Dutch naval power. Look closely, and you’ll notice the incredible amount of detail, from the rigging of the ships to the architecture of the town in the background. It all would have required hours of labor, and considerable skill, to achieve this level of detail. The black and white contrast gives a sense of drama, emphasizing the scale of the fleet, and the might of the Dutch Republic. Consider how this image would have circulated at the time, helping to build a sense of national pride, and legitimizing the costly project of building and maintaining a navy. This print isn’t just a picture, it's a piece of propaganda, carefully crafted to influence public opinion through accessible printmaking techniques.